An “architectural gem” in a leafy corner of Eltham has been left empty and abandoned, according to local residents.

The Avery Hill Winter Gardens are a 19th century building on the grounds of Avery Hill Park that are capable of containing tropical trees and plants year round.

According to locals though, the building is derelict and empty with broken windows and water running down the walls.

John Webb, of Save Avery Winter Gardens, said that while it’s technically open to the public, nobody would realistically want to visit them now.

He said: “A gardener does their best but it’s in a state of dereliction and it has water running down the wall. It is open to the public but you don’t want to enter an abandoned building.

“We believe the fabric of that building is woven into the whole community and it’s central to Eltham. We feel demoralised that the local authorities are not interested in saving it.”

The building is currently owned by the University of Greenwich, alongside an old art gallery next door that is used as a library.

The university agreed to sell the site in 2014 and have said they have maintain the structure within full accordance of their council obligations, but for locals like John they don’t believe that’s enough for the potential the buildings represent.

He said: “We have these two marvellous pieces of architecture in Eltham waiting to be used but the two major players in this, the council and the university, are letting this opportunity slip through their fingers.

“It wouldn’t take an awful lot of creative thought to turn it into a tourist attraction for Eltham.

“We are just going to end up with an abandoned building in what could have been a great opportunity for the area.”

Cllr Danny Thorpe, deputy leader for Greenwich Council, said: “The council has a very clear position that the winter garden is an invaluable asset to the heritage of this borough and it is absolutely incumbent on the university to be clear about how that will be maintained in any future proposals that they bring forward.

In response to whether the Education Funding Agency (EFA) were looking to build a school at the site, Cllr Thorpe did not rule out the possibility.

He said: “To be frank the EFA are looking all over the place because clearly this mad world we’re in of school places and provisions means the EFA having to find sites to deliver school places.

“Clearly the education covenant refers to that site but so does the winter garden covenant which is absolutely clear on the university on what they must do to maintain and protect that site.”

A University of Greenwich spokesperson said: “The University acquired the Mansion Site, which includes the Winter Garden, from the Royal Borough of Greenwich Council in 1993. We maintain the structures in full accordance with our council obligations and also the requirements of their listed status.

“We have invested over £1 million in conservation since 2010 to keep the Winter Garden structure and roof sound & weathertight. We are in ongoing discussions with the Council and Historic England to identify any urgent works that require completion. In the interim, windows that were broken recently as a result of vandalism and other urgent works will be carried out in due course.

“The University approved the principle of selling the Mansion site in 2014. The site has been marketed and we are in ongoing discussions with the Council about potential uses.

“We remain committed to providing a first-class student experience, and the sale will allow funds to be re-invested in our campuses, research, sport, library and IT facilities, and also to provide even better teaching.”